He's been there for months, watching drills, speaking with coaches and teammates, staying in the game mentally for the one day he'd rejoin them physically.

That day is about here.

The outside linebacker will return to practice Wednesday morning in a limited capacity, Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco said Tuesday, as San Diego launched a 21-day period in which he can practice. The Tuesday decision, expected based on Ingram's progress, was the first of two the Chargers will make. By 1 p.m. PT on Dec. 10, Ingram must either be placed on the 53-man roster or moved to season-ending injured reserve.

Ingram, on the Physically Unable to Perform List, can be activated anytime before that deadline. On Thursday, he'll be six months removed from reconstructive knee surgery.

The 2012 first-round draft pick tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in practice on May 14 when making an inside pass-rush move on the second day of organized team activities. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery a week later.

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While Ingram has attacked his rehab with a 2013 comeback in mind, it would be premature to attach likelihood on that scenario.

The Chargers will monitor Ingram throughout the 21-day window, Telesco said.

"We'll listen to Dr. Andrews. We'll listen to our doctors," Telesco said. "We'll take it day by day."

San Diego's outside linebacker position was hit this year by injury as hard as any group on the roster.

At one point this month, in a game against the Broncos, the Chargers were without their four top options. Ingram and Jarret Johnson were not active, Dwight Freeney tore his quad tendon in September and was on injured reserve, and Larry English tore his pectoral in the second quarter on a Peyton Manning sack. He's since joined Freeney on IR.

Johnson played 16 defensive snaps this past Sunday versus Miami. It was his first game after missing three of the previous four with a hamstring injury.

Inside linebacker Reggie Walker worked outside Sunday, providing the Chargers some support. He played there for the Cardinals during the final part of the 2012 season.

Nuts 'n' Bolts

• The Chargers signed tackle Kenny Wiggins to their practice squad Tuesday, as expected. They waived him Monday to create roster room for third-year veteran tackle Willie Smith.

• Wide receiver Josh Bellamy was released from the practice squad. He spent training camp with Sunday's opponent, the Chiefs.